Chucked in at the deep end – Samuel Persaud

26 Jul Chucked in at the deep end – Samuel Persaud

Course studied: Motorsport Engineering with Professional Development
Year of graduation: 2016

When I left Brunel…As all of my previous job applications were unsuccessful, my plan was to take a couple of weeks off before hitting the job hunting hard. Using LinkedIn and various recruitment companies and professional connections, I applied for full time work in my field.

At the moment…I am currently working as a Design and Development Engineer for Sigma Precision Components, a company born out of the ashes of a Rolls Royce subsidiary, whose main business is the manufacture of aerospace engine pipes. As part of the ongoing industry focus of light-weighting, I am part of the team developing composite solutions to replace current metallic products. This role encompasses component and systems design, process development and manufacturing, providing a good balance between office based and practical work.

How my career goals have changed…My main career goal is to gain Chartered Accreditation from the IMechE. The first job I had out of University (Project Engineer at Forward Composites Ltd) didn’t provide any scope for this or any other professional development associated with the main focus of the job role, Project Management. Additionally I also wanted a role in which I was challenged and pushed to learn, something that I have found in my current role where the nature of the work requires problem solving, understanding new technologies/processes and applying fundamental engineering theory.

How I have developed professionally since graduating…I feel my approach to work has improved. Studying and learning at university requires a lot of research, reading, report writing and (relatively speaking) broad timescales. Working in industry requires solutions, fast! I’ve learnt how to think on my feet, communicating concise and accurate information with my colleagues. I’ve become more proficient in managing my work load, learning how to delegate tasks, contribute effectively to teams and being the lead on complex engineering projects. I feel I learned all these skills at university, but have only been able to apply them and maximise my potential in industry.

How I have developed personally since graduating…Engineering can be really disheartening at times… When you’ve put all your effort into a project/task/job, and you feel like you’re not making any progress, it can really get you feeling down. In the engineering industry this can happen quite a lot, but you have to keep picking yourself up, dusting yourself off and pushing through until the job is done. I feel this is something I’ve learnt, and come to expect, since graduating.

My advice to recent graduates/students graduating soon…In the October/November of my final year, I applied for a number of Graduate Schemes, getting through to Interview/Assessment Centre Stage, but wasn’t successful in securing a job. My friends had more success with their applications, and I felt like I was in the minority of students that would come to the end of the year being unemployed. When I graduated I felt so worried that I would not be given the opportunity to develop as an engineer in a role that was not a Graduate Scheme, I couldn’t have been any more wrong!

Working as a Project Engineer for a medium sized composite company, I was well and truly chucked in at the deep end, managing international aerospace customers from the third day on the job. In hindsight, I shouldn’t have worried about getting a job as there are plenty out there, at companies that genuinely value their employees.

About Us

The Placement and Careers Centre (PCC) is part of the School of Professional Development and comprises of Job Shop, Placement and Careers. Our aim is to improve the employability of all our students and graduates, and we do this by delivering high quality guidance, information, careers education, work placement and recruitment services. Our goal is to support the University in developing confident, talented and versatile graduates.